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Original poster

"Boobies" in nursery?

117 replies

Sat32 · 07/07/2015 11:17

The nursery that my 19 month old attends seems to think that it is acceptable to use the word boobies when telling my child to cover up. Apparently she likes to lift her top up and keeps showing her "boobies". I was horrified that they are sexualising her at such a young age when they could just as easily tell her that she needs to cover up. Does anyone else have this experience?

OP posts:
BertrandRussell · 07/07/2015 12:55

So tits for 19 month olds? Breasts? Only words after all........

barleyfieldsummer · 07/07/2015 12:56

For those who cannot see the problem, breasts are something aquired in puberty.

A toddler doesn't have them.

Therefore to say, even indirectly, that a toddler is on a par with a girl who has gone through puberty, is not appropriate.

Famousfor5 · 07/07/2015 12:58

I don't mind the word particularly but I wouldn't expect it to be used in a nursery setting, and definitely not in relation to the body of a 19 month old child. There has definitely been a growing sexualisation of young girl's bodies. You now almost never see girls on the beach without a bikini top or swimsuit to the point where it would seem weird if anyone did this, whereas when I was a child it was quite normal.

Teabagbeforemilk · 07/07/2015 12:59

I can see what you are getting at barely I just don't agree with your reasoning or that it is something to be 'horrified' by

barleyfieldsummer · 07/07/2015 13:00

I'd be horrified if someone said to my child 'put your pubes away.'

Fact is, it's just become normal to see little girls as young women and it is horrifying.

Notso · 07/07/2015 13:01

No BertrandRussell 19 month olds don't have boobies but I've seen many pretend to breastfeed dolls and teddies over many years of working with children and some referred to their own breasts or boobies, even boys who will never have them. If that's the word they use that's the word they use, just because I or you dislike it doesn't mean it's wrong for them.

I've had little children tell me they need a shit, refer to a vagina when they mean vulva. At two my own DD told me her friend kicked her in the nads, thanks to DH.

barleyfieldsummer · 07/07/2015 13:03

It's not the word.

It's the suggestion that because in a decade breasts will sprout a toddler can't lift her top.

What a horrible, revolting attitude!

BertrandRussell · 07/07/2015 13:05

But we're not talking about children using the word. We're talking about a child care professional using it. A very different thing. As I said, how would you feel about tits or breasts being used to/about 19 month old?

BeyondTheWall · 07/07/2015 13:06

If its not the word, why the pube comparison? Both sexes grow pubes Grin

The problem is suggesting little boys have nipples (that can be seen) and little girls have boobies (that must remain covered). Surely?

NickyEds · 07/07/2015 13:06

I do see what you mean barely but my 18 month old will do Mummy's nose, Daddy's nose, Dss nose and Mummy's boobies, Daddy's boobies, Ds's boobies. Is it really something to be horrified about? Ds also points at his chin and does "whiskers" and pretends to shave after seeing dp do it, my friends little boy makes a good go of bf his doll with his "boobies"(new baby in the house). Not horrific.

barleyfieldsummer · 07/07/2015 13:08

I'm not horrified by the word.

I'm horrified that she has to keep her top down 'because of her boobies.'

If your son's trousers fell down and the nursery worker said 'pants up, no one wants to see your pubes' that would be WRONG, because he doesn't have any.

A 19 month old does not have boobies. So why should she have to cover them up?

Because she will one day?

How awful.

NickyEds · 07/07/2015 13:09

You now almost never see girls on the beach without a bikini top or swimsuit to the point where it would seem weird if anyone did this,

Would it? Really??? I don't know of anyone who would find kids running about a beach without tops on weird.

BarbarianMum · 07/07/2015 13:09

I don't understand why they are asking her not to pull up her top. As you've pointed out there is no reason she shouldn't. Hmm

barleyfieldsummer · 07/07/2015 13:10

Nicky swimwear marketed for girls always covers the top half.

BertrandRussell · 07/07/2015 13:10

"I do see what you mean barely but my 18 month old will do Mummy's nose, Daddy's nose, Dss nose and Mummy's boobies, Daddy's boobies, Ds's boobies. Is it really something to be horrified about?"

No. However, a chld care professional telling a toddler to cover up her boobies is a completely different issue.

VanillaTwirl · 07/07/2015 13:13

Hate the word 'boobies' - it is a horrible word. Especially hate hearing grown ups using it, it makes me cringe.

Stop pulling your top up is enough (to boy as well as girl), and chest is fine.

ApocalypseThen · 07/07/2015 13:18

A lot of effort going in to missing the point.

floatyflo · 07/07/2015 13:21

I've read the word 'boobies' so many times on that thread now it sounds funny...

Boooobieeees. BOOBEEEEESSSS.
Boobiesssss.
Booooobies. BBBOOOOOOBBIEEEESSSS!

BeyondTheWall · 07/07/2015 13:22

When i was little, i would say i had boobies, til i hit puberty then they 'became' boobs. Not boobies.

I use boobies (as does everyone i know) as nipple and surrounding area, not sex specific. Boobs is (to me) sex specific and equated with breasts/mammary glands.

Ah, the joys of various areas and people with different dialects all posting together on the internet Grin

BeyondTheWall · 07/07/2015 13:30

Actually, this conversation is starting to make me feel a bit weird.

Have you namechanged, op?

BertrandRussell · 07/07/2015 13:37

OK. Who thinks "boobies" is a word meaning the human chest, regardless of age, development or sex?

MrsKoala · 07/07/2015 13:44

Me. It's how it's used in my house.

Original poster
Sat32 · 07/07/2015 13:47

Thanks all, BertrandRussell and Midnightvelve, i agree with your comments and thank you. I think you certainly understand and appreciate the point i am making, although i see this isnt a clear cut issue-one thing is clear, parenting is not easy but decisions such as this, i.e. what is and isnt appropriate in a professional childcare setting have to be taken with great care. What we do or dont do in the comfort of our own homes is another matter.

OP posts:
Lateswim16 · 07/07/2015 13:47

Hi op I am a cm and find that horrible talk to be honest.

I sometimes remind my school age children to put their hands in their laps ( if down pants etc) Grin but never mention specifics and certainly not words like that. I am a 70s kid and that reminds me of a carry on film.

I would Definatly squash that one and yes I do think it's sexualising her as children don't have 'boobies' yeuk.

GobblersKnob · 07/07/2015 13:48

Not knocking anyone else's use of the word boobies but I can't say it without hearing the Benny Hill theme tune, and imaging throngs of running giggling women in bikinis Grin

I just say boob, and both dcs asked for milk when requiring access. Dd and ds refer to their chests or nipples, dd has stated that she will get boobs later.

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